Many people can relate to the 'witch' in October. When the leaves change color, the air becomes crisp and Halloween is just around the corner. I've created this blog as a doorway into the life of a real witch who lives in New England, year round. An insiders look behind the creaky door of the haunted house of my life, where I am a witch 24/7 - 365. My name is Faith McCann and I will be writing a new post weekly. I hope you like my work.

The Contemporary New England Witch

Ms Faith

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Going On A Magickal/Spiritual Journey or Quest

Good Afternoon My Witchy Readers,

I never know where I am going to get my inspiration for my next discussion I wish to have with you, but I wait, patiently and it always comes. This time it was from a person who, within the space of a mere year and a day has become a dear friend and mentor in a special way and now he is leaving on a journey, a quest if you will, an adventure much like Bilbo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings.

I started thinking about his journey and then expanded my thoughts to encompass how so many people go on quests or journeys, magickal or spiritual in nature in their lives, sometimes once, sometimes more than once, and some people even make their entire lives a journey of discovery.

I put above the tarot card "The Fool" as an example for this discussion, but not that one taking a journey of discovery is foolish in any way, not at all, the opposite it true. It often is the wisest amongst us that seeks to find themselves by taking a journey whether it be physical and covering geographical distance, or internal and on a spiritual path only. But this tarot card, "the fool", shows a person, the subject of the tarot reading going on a journey, a quest and I see stages in the person's life depicted. First when they are young and capable of getting into grave danger and needing a mother or another's care to keep them safe, but then the time comes when they are able to pack up and travel away and explore and seek new adventures all on their own.

This card shows the subject "the fool" not as a stupid or foolish person, but in the mid 1800's the fool was considered one who passed time idly, such as going on a journey without being in a rush, taking time as it came, learning lessons as they were given. Not trying to control the world around you, or commanding the energies to obey your will, but simply traveling and learning and experiencing what the world has to teach you and being content in that. There is a lesson to be learned in allowing the journey to be your teacher.

Whether your journey is an actual one and you find yourself moving from one place to another, or more metaphoric as you move within and explore the experiences and changes that come your way, it is the path you travel that is the teacher, never the destination. For remember Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien and then a supporting character in the Lord of the Rings story his final destination brought him back to the Shire. It was never his destination that was the goal, but the adventures and the quest of experience he reluctantly endured for those in his rag tag troupe, all for a greater good.

Eventually his adventures were recorded for his future generations in a book that could be read and passed down to his descendants, so like a Book of Shadows, which is the magickal practitioners record of her/his magickal practice/experience as well as spiritual path working. This record can be written, recorded, many today videotape their experiences, but there should be some order and chronology to this path of experience. Whether a diary, a book of poetry, a collection of lyrics and sheet music, perhaps a collection of paintings reminiscent of the great masters such as Monet and the impressionists who lived the south of France, or any medium you choose to record your path that you take and where the path leads you.

This also holds true for those who never leave home but choose to go on a spiritual quest by using other means of traveling a path. Some may choose short meditations everyday, but if you do this, be sure to have a specific goal a purpose for your meditation. Too many people try to meditate just to relax, but realize you do this every night when you sleep. Meditation should have a purpose, it should enhance your life in some way and make your life more beneficial for you. Or perhaps you will choose a course of study, or meeting new people, exploring places around where you live and seeing what they have to offer you. Perhaps your quest is to watch documentaries on a certain interest of yours and allow your mind to expand to allow additional ideas and concepts to be considered.

One of the most interesting, even fascinating things about going on a spiritual quest or journey is, remember when I said initially that the destination is not the goal, but traveling the path is? The start of the journey. Yes, it is an even more significant part of your journey to decide how, what, where, when, that journey will take shape. You already know the who, you, and the why, why not? Or because you feel compelled to do this, is what most people will say if asked.

It is the same with everyone who has ever attempted to climb Mt. Everest. When asked why? You never hear, "well, I promised my girlfriend I would do it for her.", or "I did it on a dare." it is always, how they felt compelled, how there was an almost inexorably pull for them to do this thing that kept calling to them, until they felt they had finished their quest. Most, when they have completed their quest, whether a physical one or only spiritual, which by no means implies it is less than significant, find themselves changed in some significant ways.

For each person the change is personal, some can talk about it,, some choose not to. Some make life altering changes that forever change and adjust their lives and some merely enhance the lives they were already living. Some leave all and everyone they knew behind to start afresh somewhere else, and some choose to embrace the old life and families and friends along with the new people and loved ones and meld them into a diverse melting pot of loved ones they always want to have around.

One of the most important things I can tell you about this topic, should starting a new path, exploring an interest or going on an actual quest be crossing your mind, is this. Do it. So many, too many people tell me, almost weekly at my shop, that they have always been interested in the magickal world, for instance, and they just didn't start, didn't know where to start, wasn't sure how to, or what to do, so they did nothing. For weeks or months and sadly for many years. No, no, no!! Doing nothing, is just that! Nothing!! Do something for goodness sake! Start, pick up a book, speak to someone, take a trip, take a class, just do something. The great thing is, if it is not exactly right, well then you can cross that off of your list and go to the next thing!

But to sit there and wish and wonder, wanting and desiring and never reaching out and trying to grab at what you really want and desire, leaves you with nothing. Well, that is where you are right now, so it hurts nothing to try, and you have nothing to lose. And everything to gain! Never have the regret of wondering, . . . "what if I had only . . . ?" Start, by getting up and doing something and then the rest will come easier than you will realize. Just start.

Ah, if you thought I would give you the tips and tricks, and check list of your spiritual/magickal journey here, you are mistaken, as you are the one to write it, what it will be and it will record upon your soul who you will become.

All I can tell you with great certainty, if you decide to embark on a spiritual/magickal journey is two things. One . . . You will start. And Two . . . one day you will finish. The rest you will need to fill in.

Live, Laugh and Always Love, Ms. Faith

This discussion is dedicated to my friend Jack Riley - "May The Winds Be With You" Gaelic Blessing To The Traveler

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About Me

I've been a practicing witch for over 30 years and in the Contemporary New England Witch blog I share my experiences and the discoveries of my witches life with you. I teach an introductory year of witchcraft studies at my school and store Enchantments in Manchester, CT as well as a short intro course at Manchester Community College. I hope you enjoy my writing.